Smartphones, Smart Watches and Phablets; Oh My!

This entry was posted on January 27, 2014 by Michael Herring.

A Preview of New Technology to be Released in 2014

As we transition into the New Year, the question on all of our minds is: “What new technology is on the way?” Manufacturers are constantly producing more impressive gadgets,and we are all looking forward to what 2014 has to offer in terms of new technology. But before we explore the new frontiers of smartphones, tablets and the like, let’s briefly review some of the technology that stood out in 2013.

Samsung’s Galaxy line has always made for a quality product, and this past year was no exception. The S4 impressed us with its user-friendly interface, and classic design. For these reasons, among others, it makes perfect sense that the Galaxy S4 was 2013’s best selling smartphone.

Apple consistently delivers superior quality with its iPhone product line. Since the release of the initial model, in 2007, Apple has only continued to impress us with their bold and innovative take on the smartphone, as we know it. The 5s came outfitted with three metallic-themed finishes, while the 5c opted for a vibrant, colorful feel, without sacrificing the Apple precision-of-use that users have grown accustomed to. Highly responsive technological features, and a gorgeous, slender finish cement the iPhone 5s and 5c in the list of phones to be recognized in 2013.

2013 was a major year for HTC with regard to cell phone releases. The One, however, was the shining star among HTC’s entire product line. When discussing the One, form factor is among the phone’s noteworthy features. The curvature of this HTC model gave it an amazing feel our hand, and the all-metal “unibody” placed the One in a league of its own in terms of durability.

Definitely worth a mention, the iPad Air in the largest variant of Apple’s iPad product line. Features offered in older models were amped up a bit, such as changes made to the front-mounted camera, and including a retina display. At one pound, the iPad is an impressive work considering all of the highly efficient processors under its hood.

Undoubtedly one of the fastest tablets on the market, Google created a powerhouse in 2013 by the name of the Nexus 7. Housing an NVIDIA® Tegra® 3 quad-core processor in a slender 10.45mm thin body, the latest edition of the Nexus is a superior work of craftsmanship, and technology.

2014 and Beyond
Though our socks have been knocked off again and again this year with all of last year’s new product releases, the 2014 Consumer Electronic Show (CES) revealed some promising prospect for this year. Let’s dive right in.

LG G Flex

There has been much talk around this innovative rework to LG’s phones. The G Flex lives up to its name with a design that accommodates the face; the phone has a curved profile, which hugs your face as you make phone calls! We will see what sort of impact this innovation makes on the smartphone scene.

Samsung Galaxy Round

Similar to LG’s G Flex, this new device will also feature a curved glass design. The difference between the two models is the G Flex is curved along a horizontal axis, while the Galaxy Round is curved along a horizontal one. For those of you concerned that this will alter Samsung winning Galaxy formula, never fear! There is still a Samsung Galaxy S5 slated to be released some time this year.

iPhone 6

We would be remiss not to mention this product. As of now, there is much speculation as to the exact features, but many expect the iPhone 6 to come outfitted with a larger screen (possibly in the 4.5 to 5-inch range), as well as a Retina+ display. The model could be slimmed down from the 5’s current design, and could include an upgraded processor similar to that of the iPad Air. Considering the iPhone 6’s software brings us to the next outlook on our list…

iOS 8

Apple is historically quiet about upcoming releases, and the iOS8 is no different. There are not many solid facts about a new version of Apple’s mobile operating system, though there will reportedly be some notable feature enhancements, such as a car-finding feature for the Maps app. We’ll be sure to post updates about iOS 8 as details are released.

Asus PadFone X

Asus introduces this innovative take on tablets by revealing a smartphone-tablet hybrid. The PadFone integrates a dock into the rear side of a tablet to allow for a transition between user experiences. The device runs on the latest version of the Android OS (4.4 Kitkat), and will certainly make for an interesting release later this year.

Samsung Galaxy NotePRO and TabPRO

At CES, Samsung revealed these two new devices, which will offer Wi-Fi only, Wi-Fi & 3G, and Wi-Fi & LTE connectivity options. The NotePRO comes in a single 12.2-inch design, while the TabPRO offers 12.2, 10.1, and 8.4-inch options. Samsung says that the devices will be available starting Q1 of this year.

Pebble Steel

In an attempt to make their device more aesthetically pleasing, Pebble has completely redesigned their smart watch, which has an extensive catalogue of features, including text notifications, apps, and customizable straps/faceplates.

All in all, 2014 looks to be a promising year for new tech devices and gadgets. As always, you can be sure that Best Skins Ever has got you covered with products, news, and info.

Are there any products that we missed? Devices you’d like to know more about? Let us know in the comments below.

Your Account

Website Links

Sign up for exclusive updates & offers.

Email*

Our Guarantee

We understand that our products may not meet the protection needs of everyone's lifestyle and we want your shopping experience with us to be risk free. You can return your purchase, no questions asked, new or used, within 46 days of the original order date.